Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Natural Resources Committee

SB 5440

Brief Description:  Raising the number of the governor's appointees to the fish and wildlife commission from two to three.

Sponsors:  By Senators Jacobsen and Oke; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Requires the Governor to appoint three members to the Fish and Wildlife Commission in January of each odd numbered bill.

Hearing Date:  3/19/01

Staff:  Jason Callahan (786‑7117).

Background: 

In 1994 the Legislature merged the Department of Fisheries and the Department of Game into the Department of Fish and Wildlife.  In doing, the six-member Wildlife Commission was replaced by the nine-member Fish and Wildlife Commission.  Each commission member serves a six-year term. 

The governor has the authority to appoint two-members to the commission in January of each odd-numbered year.  These appointees replace those commissioners with expiring terms.  This authority belonged to the governor prior to the 1994 merger and operated so that the number of appointments equaled the number of commissioners with expiring terms.  Since the commission was expanded from six members to nine members, the two appointments no longer equal the number of commissioners with expiring terms.

Summary of Bill: 

The governor is required to appoint three members to the Fish and Wildlife Commission in January of each odd numbered year.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not Requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.